Posted by anonymous
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Dec 17, 2013 at 1:13 pm

Yes, I noticed some just today. The only thing is, when I was in London recently I was practically run over by a sportscar driver - in Mayfair - on kind of a side street intersection - so even zebra crossings aren't a greater guarantee of pedestrian or cyclist safety...

Now I am confused. Some of these crossings are being painted yellow and some are white. None of them seem to be any closer to schools than others, as far as I can see. Is there a technical difference between yellow and white crossings? As pedestrians are they more safe to cross if they are one colour or the other? As a driver, should they be treated differently when they are different colours? Are they just trying to make it more confusing for those pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles discerning between the two?

All crosswalks should be treated the same as far as drivers go, including intersections with unmarked crosswalks. If pedestrians are in the street or about to enter the street, all cars should stop and let them cross safely.

All intersections should be treated as crosswalks, even if there are no painted lines. Most crosswalks in Palo Alto do not have painted lines.

If you see a car stopped ahead of you near a crosswalk, you are required by law to stop even if you do not see a pedestrian in the crosswalk. If you are not sure if a crosswalk is there, then stop anyway. If after you stop you are absolutely sure there are no pedestrians anywhere near the crosswalk, then you can drive around the idiot.

Posted by Illuminato
a resident of another community
on Dec 20, 2013 at 6:12 pm

Trying to make a right turn from Middlefield to Oregon recently, I had to hit the brakes for the kid zipping across the crosswalk on a bike, going the wrong way. It's illegal to ride a bike across the crosswalk, and it's illegal to ride a bike the wrong way, on the wrong side of the street.

I get the frustration. Had a runner totally blow off the red light and run right out in front of me on Embarcadero a few early early mornings ago. However...you could sub out the bike for a pedestrian under your scenario....you have to look both ways even when turning right. One of my friends got hit by a car while he was crossing and the driver didn't check right before turning right. Hit his head on the windshield and then slide off the car and hit his head again on the pavement. Permanent brain damage.